Choose the Right Synonym for rot

Verb

decay, decompose, rot, putrefy, spoil mean to undergo destructive dissolution. decay implies a slow change from a state of soundness or perfection.
a decaying mansion decompose stresses a breaking down by chemical change and when applied to organic matter a corruption.
the strong odor of decomposing vegetation rot is a close synonym of decompose and often connotes foulness.
fruit was left to rot in warehouses putrefy implies the rotting of animal matter and offensiveness to sight and smell.
corpses putrefying on the battlefield spoil applies chiefly to the decomposition of foods.
keep the ham from spoiling

Examples of rot in a Sentence

Verb

The wood had rotted away.
The apples were left to rot.
the smell of rotting garbage
Eating too much candy can rot your teeth.

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rot.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.